r 



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E 



BRIEF SKETCHES 



OF TIIK 



OFFICEES WHO WERE IN THE BATTLE 
OF LAKE ERIE. 



BY USHER PARSONS, M. D., 



OF PROVIDENCE, E. I. 



FEOM THE NEW ENG. HIST. AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 





ALBANY, N. Y. : 
J. MUN8ELL, 78 STATE STREET. 
r""" 1862. 



The following brief sketches of the lives of the commis- 
sioned and warrant officers in Perry's squadron, written 
by one of them, at the request of some of their surviving 
relatives, were published in the New Evgland Historical 
and Genealogical Register, for January, 1863. The two 
senior commanders. Ferry and Elliott, are omitted, Jiaving 
already been suflficicntlj' noticed b}' J. F. Cooper, A. S. 
McKenzie aud others. The following persons are arranged 
according to the position of the vessels to which they be- 
longed. 




,''i£ 



t^y- 



BRIEF SKETCHES 



OF THE 



OFFICERS WHO WERE IN THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 



Officers of the Lawrence. 



Lieut. John J. Yarnell of Pennsylvania, warranted as midshipman 
1809, commissioned in Jul,v, 1813, served one j'ear in a merchant 
ship in the Pacific, was ordered to L:ike Erie to aid in fitting' out the 
squadron, and was appointed tirst lieutenant of the flag- ship Law- 
rence, which Perry commanded, until she was disabled, and when he 
transferred his flag- to the Niagara. Perry says, in his official report, 
that "finding I could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge 
of Lieut. Yarneli, who, I was convinced, from the braver^' already 
dis[)layed, would do what would comport with the honor of the flag. 
* * * It was with unspeakable pain that I saw, soon after I got 
on board the Niagara, the Hag of the Lawrence come down, although 
I was perfectly sensible she had been defended to the last, and tliat 
1o hav(! continued to make a show of resistance would have been a 
wanton sacrifice of the remains of the brave crew. But the enemy 
was iHjt able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon per- 
mitted her flag to be lioisted." Again he says: " Of Lieut. Yarneli, 
flrst of the Lawrence, although several times wounded, he refused 
to quit the deck." Ten days after the action, Mr. Yarneli was sent 
lo Erie in command of the hospital-ship Lawrence, and soon after 
was ordered on board the John Adams, as lieutenant, and then to 
the Epervier, as commander, which, in 1815, was lost at sea, with 
all hands on board. He was a brave and intelligent officer, and if 
lacking in sunviter in mndo, possessed in a high degree the fortiter in 
re, and had life been spared would have made a distinguislied com- 
mander.* 

* Anecdotk. — Lieut. Yarneli liad his scalp badly torn, and came Uelow with the 
blood streaming over his face; some lint was hastily applied and Confined with a 
large bandana, vvilh directions to report himself for better dressing after the battle 
and he insisted oa returning to the deck. The cannon l)alls had knocked to pieces 
the hammocks stowed away on deck and let loose thelf contents, which were reed 
or flag tops, that floated in the air like feathers and gave the appearance of a snow 
storm. These lighted upon Yarnell's head covered with blood, and on coming 
below with another injury, his bloody face covered with the cat tails made his head 
resemble that of a huge owl. Some of tlie wounded roared out with laughter that 
" the devil had come for us." 



Lieut. DuLANY Forest, born in tho District of Columbia. He was 
appniiit<'d tiii(lslii|uiiiiii in 1809, and was in the Coiislitntion when she 
captured tlie Java, under Bainbriil^^e. When the sqnadrcjii sailed on 
the lake he was appointed actiuj^ lieutenant of tlie flag- ship, and 
acted as chief sijj^nal (fficcr. Uo. bciiavcd <>:i]|antly in the action, 
and was despatclicd to Wasliinjj^ton witli the coniin(>dor(.''s oflicial 
report and bearer of the captured flags. He sailetl to the Mi'diter- 
raneaii, as lieutenant of tlu; Java, under Perr}'. He was cunimis- 
sioned as lieutenant in 1814, but. died of fever in 1S25. 

Lieutenant of Marines, John Brooks, son of tlic bite governor of 
Massacliusctts, who was a colonel in lh(i revolutionary army. Lieut. 
Brooks studied nieibeine with liis father, who ])ractieed in Mcdfoid. 
Desirijus of serving his country in a niilitar}' capacity, lie obtained 
an appointment as lieutenant of marines, and was stationed in Wash- 
ington when the war commenced. He was ordered thence to Lake 
Erie, under Ct)m. Perry, and, with a recruiting sergeant, opened a 
rendezvous in that place and raised a company of marines for the 
fleet. He was an excellent drill officer and brought his company 
into perfect discipline. On the 10th of September, 1813, he, in the 
heat of the battle, was struck with a cannon ball in tlie hip, which 
carried away the joint. His agony was intense and impelled him to 
plead for deatli, culling earnestly for his pistols to end his misery. 
But in the course of an hour he sank awaj', having made a verbal 
disposition of his affairs to the purser, Mr. Hambleton, who \ay by 
his side, also wounded. Mr. Brooks was probably surpassed by no 
officer in the navy for manly beaut^'^, polished manners and elegant 
persf)nal appearance. 

Sailing Master William Vigneron Taylor was a descendant of Dr. 
Norbent F. Vigneron, a native of Provence d'Artois in France. He 
arrived in Newport in 1G90, where he lived to the age of 95 years, 
and died in 1764. He was a well educated and popular physician, 
and being succeeded by his son and grandson, the three occupied a 
prominent rank in the medical profession during nearly a century. 

Capt. Taylor was a sailor before the mast, then mate, and finally 
captain in the n)erchant service. Being thrown out of employ by 
the declaration of war in 1812, Capt. Perry obtained for him a war- 
rant as sailing master in tlie fli)tilhi under his command in Newport 
harbor, early in 1813, and having a high appreciation of his abilities 
took him to Erie to aid in fitting out and rigging the vessels there 
building. Mr. Taylor arrived there in April, in charge of a gang of 
sailors, and rendered highly important services in superintending the 
equipment of the vessels, being more experienced than any one on 
the station, in the duties of seamanship. 

When the fleet sailed to meet the enemy, the commodore took Mr. 
Taylor into his flag ship, the Lawrence. This ship was crippled in 
the battle, in her sails and rigging and masts, every thing on board 
torn to pieces, so that it required the greatest coolness and self pos- 
session as well as skill, to prevent her going to wreck, and Mr. Tay- 
lor was tlie man fitted for the occasion. He received a slight wound 
in the thigh, but was able to keep the deck till the battle was over. 
Tlie Lawrence being converted into a hospital ship for the whole 
fleet, was sent to Erie, and Mr. Taylor returned in her. He was then 



sent to Lake Ontario with despatcliGs to Clianncy, and soon after 
obtiiirH'd leave of absence to return to liis family in Newport. He 
was then placed in the line of promotion by awarding" him a com- 
mission of iiontenant in 1814, and promotcti to commander in 1831, 
and finally he was made post ca|)tain in 1841. 

At the close of 1814, dm. Perry was oil'ered the command of a 
new 44 g'lin frigate then bnilding in B,iltimor(% and was allowed 
the privilege of selecting" his ollicers. Mr. Taylor, after serving' 
some time in Washingt(m navy yard, was select<'(l by Perry for one 
of his lieutenants in the Java, and for several months he was eni- 
ploy<'d in superintending her launching, rigging and outfit, and sailed 
in her to tlui Mediterranean in Dec(!mber, 1815. He next went as 
first lieutenant under Cajjt. Niclioison, in the sloop-of-war Ontario, 
and was subsequently statiijned two years in the Boston navy yard, 
and was ordered thence to the frigate Hudson, Com. Creighton, for 
the coast of Brazil. Being now promoted t(j the rank of commander, 
he took charge of the sloops-of-war Warren and Erie, in the Gulf of 
Mexico. After his promotion to post captain in 1841, he, in the 68th 
year of his age, received orders to command the ship-of-the-line Ohio, 
and took lier I'ound Cape Horn to the Pacific, where sickness com- 
pelled him to leave her and return home. 

Soon after this Capt. Ta3^1or made a profession of relig'ion in the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. He was charitable to the poor,, sick 
and need3\ On the 9tli of Februar}'^, after a year of long sufl'ering 
from disease of the heart, he was struck with apoplexy and died on 
the 11th in the 78th year of his age. 

He married Miss Ab1)y White, who was the mother of seven child- 
ren, three of whom died in childhood. The elder daughter resides 
with her venerable mother, the other married Lieut. Camillas Saun- 
ders, sou of Gen. R. M. Saunders, minister to Spain, and a resident 
of North Carolina. Catnillus was lost in the revenue cutter Hamil- 
ton, on the Charleston bar. The youngest son, named 0. H. Perry 
Taylor, graduated at West Point in 1816, and joined his regiment at 
the outbreak of the Mexican war, in which he was twice brevetted 
for gallant conduct. He was killed by the Lidians, May 17, 1858, 
while acting as senior cavalry officer, under Col. Steptoe's command. 

The other son, William R. Taylor, the oldest of the children, en- 
tered the navy as midshipman, in 1828, was promoted to lieutenant, 
1840, and to commander, 1854. He has for many years held the 
responsible office of superintendent of the ordnance department, and 
and is recently appointed to the command of the steam sloop-of-war 
Housatonic, now fitting out in Charlestown. 

Capt. William V. Taylor was a prompt and vigilant officer, and 
very active in carrying on any duties assigned him, and was a tho- 
roughly bred mariner. 

Dr. Samuel Horsley, acting surgeon of the Virginia, entered the 
navy, as surgeon's mate, in 1809, and served two or three years on 
the Atlantic. He was ordered to Lake Erie in May, 1813, as acting 
surgeon, and was commissioned in 1814, He died in 1821. The 
doctor was a polished gentleman, very companionable and universally 
esteemed. His health was feeble, and much exercise of body or 
mind not easily borne. During the week previous and subsequent 



to the battlo, lie was unable to attend to professional business ami 
did not attempt it. 

Samif.i. IIambi.kto.v, purser, was a native of Talluit county, eastern 
shore of Maryland, liorii 1717, on a plantation granted to his ances- 
tors by Lord Baltimore, in 1059. He was a inertliant foi' some years 
in Gc'org-etown, D. (J., and then a clerk in the navy department, from 
wiiich he was appointed a purser in 180(5 From 1807 to 1811 he 
■was stationed in New Orleans, under Commodores Porter and Siiaw, 
and was ordered thence to Newport, R. I., and from there to Erie, 
under Com. Perr}'. He was the particular ^and confideJitial friend 
and counselor of the commodore. All the other commissioned and 
warrant otBcers of the fleet averaged the age of less than twenty 
years, and the lieutenants alone averaged but about twenty-one 
years, and were too young to aflbrd counsel to Perrj'. But Ilamble- 
ton being of riper years and of excellent judgment, was the staff 
that he leaned upon for advice more than any or all others, and 
whether on land or water, they were messmates side by side at their 
meals. During the action Mr. Hambleton fought witli a musket 
until towards the close of it, when a spent cannon ball that had 
lodged in the mast, fell down upon his shoidder and fractured the 
scapula or shoulder blade; a portion of the bone was removed and 
he recovered in about four montlis. The oflBcers and crews of all 
the vessels appointiMl him ])rize agent, to receive and pay over to 
""lu'B'wTTaTc^^l^BBjBBM^^lTvu-eil tlieni by goveriniient for the cap- 
tured li(;et, lvTiiCT^^i^^^^TniWWipWPiliw*iiB*p#lie following 
year he left the lake. He after this, in lS:iO, sailed with Com. Bair- 
bridge, in the C(dumbus; in the frigate CongPess, Com. Biddle; and 
was on shore stations at Pensacola and at Baltimore. He died at 
Lis residence, Perry's Cabin, near St. Michael's, January 17, 1851, of 
paralysis. He never entered into political life, was devoted to agri- 
culture, and president of tlie agricultural society. He was grave 
and dignified in his manners, an extensive reader, and an accom- 
plished, high minded gentleman. During many of his last years he 
was a professor in the Episcopal Church. He never married. 

[Dr. Usher Parsoxs, wlio has i'lirnished these sketches, was acting 
surgeon on board the Lawrence, and is the last surviving conimis- 
Bioned (jflieer of Perry's squadron. The iullowing account of him 
lias been compiled from various sources: 

He is a son of William and Abigail F. (Blunt) Parsons, and was 
born at Alfred, Me., August 18, 1788. (For his ancestry, see vol. i, 
page 208 of the Jicgisler.) He iinished his medical studies under Dr. 
John Warren, father of the late Dr. John C. Warren of Boston. Im- 
incdiat(dy after tlu; declaration of war, he entered the navy as sur- 
geon's mate. He volunteered for lake service with tiie crew of the 
John Adams. In the battle of Lake Erie he; was on the flag ship 
Lawr(!nce as acting surgeon; and, in consequence of the two other 
surgeons being ill, had sole charge of the woinuled of the whole 
squTulron. Kesperting his valuable services on that trying occasion. 
Com. Perry made most honorable mention in a letter to the secretary 
of the navy. He served the following year on the upper lakes, under 
Cum. Sinclair, and was at the attack on Mackinac by Col. Croghan. 



5 



Perry, on boiiifj; aitpoinfcil to the new 44-,!;-iiii fri,i>-nl(' Juvn, as corn- 
maii(l(M', ami allowed the pri vilcj^i! ol" selecting- liis ol'liiicrs, applied 
for Dr. I'arsons as surg'eon. After two years' servire in tiiat vessel 
the doctor sailed two years as surg'eon of the (iiierriere, nnder Mac- 
donoiigli, and for two years more acted as sui'geon in tlit.' nav}' yard 
at Cliarlestown. After ten years' service in tin; navy, he resigned 
and settled in Providence, R. I., in tin; practice; of ineciicine and sur- 
gery. He received the deg-ree of M. J)., from Harvard University, ia 
1818, from Dartmonlh, in 1821, and from Brown, in 1825. H(; has 
been a professor in Brown University and in other colleg^es. He was 
formerly president of the R. I. Medical Society, and was the first 
vice-president of the National Medical Association. In 1822 he mar- 
ried Mary J., danghter of Rev. Abi(d Holmes, D. D., of Cambridg(!, 
author of tin; Annals of America. (See Register, vol. vin, page 315.) 
She died in 1825, leaving- one son, Dr. Charles W. Parsons, now pre- 
sident of the Rhode Island ]\[edieal Society. Dr. Parsons is the 
author of several medical works, and of the Life of Sir WUliam 
PepjKrrell, Bart., of which three editions have been published. The 
readers of the Register will find in onr thirteenth volume, pages 
ltl-4, a speech by him at Put'in-l)ay, Sept. 10, 1858, the 45th anni- 
versary of Perry's victory, in which an account of that battle is 
given. 

" Dr.. Part;cMi*-,-^8ftfrS-4l.te— iMitlio-F of the Histonj of Erie Gonnty, 




Thomas Breeze, the chaplain, was the son of Major John Breeze of 
the 54th regime^it of the British army, stationed at Newport, R. I., ' 
in the time of the American revolution. While there he became in- 
terested in a young lady, the daughter of Francis Malbono, Esq. 
At the close of the war he returned to England with his regiment, 
and, resigning his commission, lie was appointed British consul at 
Newport, where he spent tlie remainder of his daj's, which ended in 
1795. He married tlie lady, Miss Elizabeth Mai bone, and had four 
sons and four daughters, the youngest of the sons being the subject 
of this notice. 

1 homas Breeze was placed in a mercantile bouse in New York, of 
T. & W. Wickham, who wei'e soon after reduced to bankruptcy by 
the declaraiion of war in 1812. He returned to Newport to reside 
for a time with his widowed mother. Soon, however, he became 
wearied of an iiiactiv(? life, and applied to Com. Perry, then com- 
manding a gun-boat flotilla in Newiiort harbor, for employment, who 
appointed liirn his |)rivate s(>cretary, and on leaving for the lak(\s in 
Januai-y, 1813, took young Breeze to Erie, and tlnM'e appointed him 
chaplain. This raised his pay and aicdmiiiodated him with a better 
berth on shipboard with ward-room officers. 

When the fleet sailed from Erie to meet the enemy, Breeze was 
appointed commodore's aid in battle, the other aid being Perrv's bro- 
ther Alexander, a lad of thirteen years. The duty of aids is," to run 
with the commander's orders to all parts of the ship, for amid the din 
and uproar of battle, the crash of timbers and shrieks (jf the wounded, 
orders are hardly audible at the distance of ten feet. Fleetness of 



6 

foot and self-possession were tlie requisites for this service, and 
wiiich is l»est performed by youths in tlieir teens. Towards the close 
of the battle, the marines are required to lay aside their muskets and 
work at the cannon, in place of sailors who are knocked down and 
disabled at the guns. But the marines were here all used up, and 
still more aid was needed, and here young Breeze, with other officers, 
seized hold of the ropes and exerted every nerve as common sailors, 
in working: the last guns. Ue thus served in the fourfold capacity 
of aid during the battle, of secretary, to copy despatches in all di- 
rections when the fight was over, of gunner's aid near its close, and 
of chaplain to bury the dead. In this last office, his noble voice 
made the reading of the burial service very interesting and impres- 
sive. 

Soon after the lake victor}' was achieved, Gen. ITarrison embarked 
his arn)}' in the fleet and proceeded to Maiden in pursuit of Gen. 
Proctor's army. Com. Perry accompanied him as aid and took j'oung 
Breeze in the train. Having conquered the enemy on both lake and 
land, the two commandeis, witli their suites, returned to Erie, and 
proceeded thence to Buffalo in the fleet which convej'cd troops to 
that place. Mr. B. remained at Erie during the folh^wing winter and 
spring, and then accomy)anied Capt. Sinclair, connnander of the sta- 
tion, to Mackinac, as ciiaplain and secretary. Our squadron carried 
the army of Col. Croghan, i'or the purpose of recapturing the fort 
vfliTch was lost TBHrly m t-ite- war. After failing in this enterprise the 
squadnin re turn Ml' to Er1e~for winter quarters. Here, Mr. Breeze 
learnefl on his arrival, to his great joy, that liis patron and fiiend 
Com. Perry had been offered tiie command of a new 44, then build- 
ing in Baltimore, and allowed the piivilege of selecting his offitxMS, 
and that orders had accordingly arrived lor enough of his old ofBcers 
ou the lake to officer his ship; they were — Lieuts. Turner, Thos. H. 
Stevens, Dulany Forrest, Wm. V. Taylor, Purser Hambleton, Usher 
Parsons and Thomas Breeze. Others would have been selected had 
they not been absent from the country. Mr. Hambleton being prize 
agent for the fleet, declined the [dace assigned him. Mr. Stevens 
was about to be married and could not go, and Mr. Breeze had the 
promise of the more lucrative office of purser in another vessel, which 
the situation of his widowed mother and his sisters made it advisable 
for him to accept. He was thus compelled to forego the pleasure of 
again accorapanj'ing his noble commander. He subsequently sailed 
in several vessels, and served on shore stations up to the time of his 
decease, which occurred in October, 1846, after a service of thirty- 
five years. 

Mr. Breeze married Miss Lucy, daughter of Hon. Richard K. Ran- 
dolph of Newport. She still survives, and has a family of four sons 
and three daughters. One of the sons, Lieut. Kidder R. Breeze of 
the navy, a promising young oflicer, is on board the fleet now an- 
chored in front of New Orleans, and commands a detachment of mor- 
tar boats; and his eldest daughter is the wife of Thomas L. Dunnel, 
Esq , of Providence. 

Mr. Breeze was a genial companion, high-minded and of gentle- 
maidy bearing in manner and conversation. No officer in the service 
was more popular and beloved. His death was occasioned by disease 



of the heart, of which many of liis brother officers died. There are 
only two persons living- who were on board the i\:\g ship Lawrence, 
viz: the suri^eon and Ilosea Sarg:ent of Ciiarleslowii, Mass., and 
these are natives of the comity of York, Me.; and the oidy snrviviiig 
commissioned officer of the whole fleet is the surgeon of the Lawrence, 

Midshipvien. 

Henry Lamb was appointed 1809. He was struck by a splinter in 
the arm, that fractured tiie bone and carried away much of the flesh, 
so as to be in danger of dying from hemorrhage; a tourniquet was 
applied, and he was ordered to another apartment and to report him- 
self after tiie action was over. But while the suigcon was supporting 
him in moving, a cannon ball passed tlirougli the room, hit him iu 
the side an'd sent hinj from the hands of the surgeon against the 
wall, iiis body half severed. He was an estimable young man and 
corre'ct in his habits. 

Thomas Claxtox was one of the most promising officers T ever met 
with in tlie navy. He was son of Mr. Claxton, doorkeeper to the 
house of representatives at Washingtoi:, and brother of tljc bite Com. 
Cbixton. He was appointed iu 1810, and ordered to Lake Erie early 
in 1813, where he was active in getting out the fleet, and sailed in 
the Lawrence. Early in the action he was taken beh)W with a fatal 
wound of the shoulder, which carried away all the bones of the joint, 
the clavicle, scapula and head of the humerus, and yet he lingered 
along nearly tiiirty days, dying as it were by inches, and yet was 
beyond the reach of surgical aid. lie was briried in Erie, and an 
address was made on tlie occasi(jn by Rev. Mr. Reed, at the grave. 
No officer of his grade would iiave been more lamented in the fleet. 

Augustus Swartout of New^ York, was appcunted in 1812. He was 
badly wounded in the arm early in the action. He joined Com. 
Perry, in the Java, iu 1815, and sailed in her to the Mediterranean, 
He died in 1820. 

James A. Ferry, son of Capt. Christopher R. Perrj-, and brother of 
the commodore, was born in Riiode Island, received his warrant in 
1812, and accompanied his brotlier to Erie, and acted as his aid 
during the battle, Mr. Thomas Breeze being the other aid. He re- 
turned home with his brother and sailed with him to the Mediterra- 
nean. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1818, and sailed in that 
capacity in the Mediterranean, under Capt. Crane. In a subsequent 
voyage to South America he was drowned in an attempt to save the 
life of a sailor, in 1822. He was a promising officer and his loss 
much lamented. The five brothers, viz: Oliver H., Raymond H., a 
lieutenant, Matthew C. (commander in the Japan expedition), J. A., 
above mentioned, and Nathaniel H., a purser, are all deceased. 

Peleg K. Dunham, sou of Charles C. Dunham of Newport, born 
August IT, 1194, was on board the flag ship Lawrence until a few 
days before the battle, when he was taken down with lake fever and 
was transferred to the Caledonia, Capt. Turner, for better accommo- 
dations. But he had recovered in some degree, so as to be able to 
take a part in the action, and behaved courageousl}'. He entered 
service in 1812, was promoted to lieutenant 1818, and died of con- 
sumption August 17, 1822. 



8 

Officers of the Brig Caledonia. 

Capt. Daniel Turner, tlie subject of Ibis brief notice, was tlie son 
of Dani(,'l Tunior and grandson ol Dr. William Tnrner of Newark, N. 
J. He had three brotliers, viz: 1, Dr. William Turner, who was for 
many years at the head of the medical profession in Newjxirt, but 
previously a surgeon's mate in the navy, and sailed in the General 
Greene, and for many years previous to his death was the medical 
officer at Fort Wolcolt in Newport; 2, Lieut. Benjamin Turner, who 
fell in a duel with a son of the great Dr. Rush, who afterwards be- 
came a conlirmed maniac in consequence of that i'atal deed; and 3, 
Henry E. Turner, a most promising young officer, wlio died a few 
years after his appointment as mid.^hipman. , 

Capt. Daniel Turner was appcjinted a midshipman in 1808. The 
declaration of war in 1812, caused rapid promotion of j'oung officers, 
and young Turner was commissioned lieutenant in 1813, about which 
time he was ordered on lake service. He had served under Com. 
Rogers, in tlie President, and at the time of his arrival on the lakes 
was still in his minority. He was actively employed in rigging and 
fitting out the young squadron (aided by Lieut. Holdup and Sailing 
Master Taylor), until the vessels were ready for sailing early in 
August. 

The first trip of the squadron, consisting of eight vessels, half 
officered and manned, was across the lake to Long Point, in pursuit 
of the Biitish squadron of five vessels, tlie largest ship Detroit being- 
then at Maiden, not ready for sailing-. Returning to Erie the follow- 
ing day there was found a reinforcement of men and officers just 
arrived from Lake Ontario. In this brii'f excursion across the lake, 
so short was the supply of experienced officers, that j'oung Turner, 
still a minor, commanded the Niagara of 20 guns. But this parly 
arriving from Lake Ontario gave the command of the Niagara to 
Capt. Elliott, and young Turner was ordered to the third ship, the 
Cal(;donia. Wlien the line of battle was formed, the Caledonia 
ranked as fourth vessel in the line, the two schooners Ariel and 
Scoi'pion, commanded by Packet and Champlin, being ahead, followed 
by the flag ship Lawrence, then the Caledonia, Lieut. Turner, and 
the Niagara and iour smaller vessels. Tnrner maintained his posi- 
tion in tlie fight most gallantly, keeping his vessel near the Law- 
rence, within a half cable's length; but the Niagara, as was remarked 
b}' the wounded as they came below, was out of the ydace assigned 
her and " out (;f the reach of the enemy's guns, whilst Turnci's vessel 
was in her place fighting nobly." In his official report, Peny says 
that " Lieut. Turner brought the Caledonia into action in the most 
able manner, and is an officer that in all situations may be relied 
upon." 

In the following year, 1814, Capt. Turner commanded one of the 
squadron sent to coopt late with Col. Croghan, and in the following 
autiunii was captured by the enemy and taken to Alontreal. 

About this time Perry obliiincd command of a new 44-gun frigate, 
the Java, bnilding and (itting out in Baltimore, and as a compliment, 
he was allowed to seh'ct his oflicers, nearly all of whom were taken 
from his flag ship Lawrence, on the lakes, with Capt. Turner, who 



helped lii'm ri.i;- Uk; squadron and commanded tlie Caledonia. After 
a two Ycai^' eiiiis(i in tli(! Mediterranean, 'I'nrner was eiriplnycd irt 
several vessels, and as commander of the Portsmonth navy yard and 
of tlie Pacific s(iiia(lr()n. Ili; was entinsted witii important nc^-otia- 
tions in dilferent countries, and his jjajiers show that he received the 
liighost conunendations of tlie g-overnment for the mann(;r his duties 
were performed in all the stations to wliicli lie had been apiiointed. 

For his services in the battle of Lake Erie his native state, New- 
York, pvesent(>d him an elegant sword. 

The prominent trait of his character as an officer was rigid disci- 
pline, obedience to superiors in rank, and strict exaction of H from 
his subordinates, a principle that he copied from Com, Rogers, under 
whom he served some years. The crews of our ships of war were a 
rough and rugged class of men, many of them had served in the 
British navy, where punishments were severe, and they required 
similar treatment, to some extent, in our \essels. Some command- 
ers, however, more than others, possessed the art of governing a 
crew by the hope of reward and by kindness, as well as by the fear 
of the lash. Reared under the discipline of Rogers, Mr. Turner was 
a terror to evil doers, and thought more of the motive power of fear 
than of affection. He was as brave as Julius Ctesar; was always 
temperate in his habits, generous to a fault, a genial companion and 
highly esteemed by liis brother officers. 

He had complained sonne of pain in the chest for months, but on 
the day of his death was in his usual health and retired to rest at 
his usual hour, but was found dead soon after. Funeral honors were 
paid to his memory at all the naval stations, by the discharge of 
cannon, lowering tlie flags to half-mast, and by a large procession at 
his burial, which took place in Philadelphia. 

Capt. Turner's warrant as midshipman was dated January 1, 1808; 
his commission as lieutenant March 12, 1813; as master commander 
March, 1825, and as post captain March, 1835. He died February 4, 
1850. He left a widow and one daughter, who resides with her 
mother in Philadelphia, and tliree maiden sisters, now living in New- 
port. He was a dutiful and devoted son and kind brother, in short, 
he aimed at kindness in all liis domestic lelations. 

Acting Sailing Master J. E. McDoxald, born in England. He 
acted as sailing master on board the Caledonia; was made midship- 
man 1814, lieutenant 1817, and disappeared 1818, probably died. 

Officers of the Niagara. 

Lieut. Joseph E. Smith, appointed midshipman in January, 1808, 
lieutenant Marcli, 1813. He served under Com. Rogers in the Pre- 
sident, was ordered to Lake Erie 1813, under E'liott, and served as 
first lieutenant in the battle, in the Niagara. He soon after left the 
lakes in ill health, and died in Virginia, December, 1813. 

Lieut. John J. Edwards, appointed midshipman 1809, and lieute- 
nant December, 1813. He was acting lieutenant in the battle, and 
was slightly wounded. He died of fever at Erie, January, 1S14. 

Nelson Webster, midshipman, appointed February, 1811; acted 
as sailing master on board the Niagara in the battle; commissioned 
as lieutenant 1814; died 1825. 



10 

Dr. Robert R. Barton was educated in Philadelphia, commisf5ioned 
as surp^eon July, 1813, and was attached to the Niag-ara. lie was 
taken ill with lake fever previous to the action, and remained so 
some days after. In 1815 he sailed to the Mediterranean, and on his 
return married and settled in Wincliester, Va., as a planter. He was 
a dip^nified and highly respected gentleman and phj'sician. 

Humphrey Magrath, purser. In 1814 he blew his brains out in a 
fit of insanity'. 

Mid. J. B. ^foNTGOMERY; native of New Jersey; appointed 1812; 
lieutenant 1818; connnander 1839, and post captain 1853. He 
lately commanded the Pacific sqtuidron, and is now commander of 
the Charleston navy yard; has served 20 years at sea. He was an 
elegant young officer, has ever stood high in the nav}', is a religious 
and very exemplary man and a useful officer. 

Mid. JoHN^ L. CuMMixs, was acting midsliipman in 1812, and assisted 
in bi)arding and capturing two armed merchant brigs at Fort Erie, 
in September, 181'2, under Capt. Jesse D. Elliott and Col. Lawson, 
in wliich he was badly wounded in the knee. Uo. served on board 
the Niagara, was promoted to lieutenant 1818, and died in 1824. 

Charles Smith, Va., appointed midsliipman 1810; was on board the 
Niagara in the action; died 1818. He was a very popular young 
officer. 

Samuel W. Adams of Swanzy, Mass., appointed 1809; dropped 1815. 
He was killed 1817, in the Mediterranean, in u merchant vessel. 

Officers of the Scorpion. 

Sailing-Master Stephen Ch.\mplin, commanded the schooner Scor- 
pion ahead of the flag ship Lawrence. She opened the ball and 
closed it by firing the first and last gun of the day. We copy the 
particulars of his life, published two years ago in a Now York paper: 

"Capt. Stephen Cliamplin was born in South Kingston, Rhode 
Island, on the Hth November, 1789, of very respectable parents. 
His father Stephen Cliamplin, was a native of the same state, and 
had formerly served as a volunteer in the American revolution. His 
mother was Elizabeth Perry, daughter of Freeman Perry, Esq.. and 
sister of Christopher Raymond Perry, the father of Com. 0. H. Perry. 

" At the age of sixteen, his great desire to become a sailor, and his 
natural aversion to farming, induced him to leave his paternal roof and 
adopt the seaman's life as a profession; which profession he success- 
fully followed, passing through all the grades, until, after a lapse of 
six years, he found himself in command of a ship out of N(n-wich. 

" At this period, on the 22d May, 1812, war about being declared 
against Great Britain, he was appointed sailing-master in the navy, 
and commanded a gun boat, under Com. 0. H. Perrj^ at Newport. 

"He was then ordered to join Com. 0. H. Perry at Erie. On his 
arrival he was appointed to the command of the Scorpion, in which 
vessel he tof)k an active part in the battle of Lake Erie; leading the 
van and firing the first gun bj' the order of the commodore, and the 
last while in the pursuit of the Little Belt, which vessel he was ena- 
bled to capture and bring back to the sc^uadron at about ten o'clock 
the same night. 

" Subsequently to this he was, by Com. Elliott, placed in command 



11 

of the Queen Charlotte and Detroit, the two prize ships that were 
left in Pnt-in-Bay during the Winter. 

" In the spviny followint;" he was appointed to the command of the 
Tigris, under C(jm. Sinclair, and served under him during the sum- 
mer, by whojn he was left witli Capt. Turner to bioekade the port of 
Mackinac. In the performance of this service he was attacked by 
an overvvhelniing force of one hundred sailors and soldiers, and about 
three hundred Indians, having five batteaux and nineteen canoes. 
In this engagement he received a very severe wound in the thigh 
from a canister shot, and was taken ])risoner. 

" In 18IG lie was appointed to tlu; command of the Porcupine, and 
ordered to proceed up the lake with Col. Hawkins and Col. Kober- 
deau, topographical engineers, who had been directed to examine the 
line between the United States and Canada, under the treaty of 
Ghent. Subsequent to this, his wound breaking out afresh, he had 
to submit to a very severe operation, which, however, did not effect 
the object in view, and lie has ever since been unable to do much 
active service. In lbs28 he was ordm-ed to the steam ship Fulton, at 
New Yolk, and was detached from her a short time before she blew 
up. In 1842 he had the ccmimand of the rendezvous in Buffalo, and 
was very successful in shipping appientices for the navy. Alter 
the rendezvous was discontinued in 1845,110 was ordered to lake the 
command of the steamer Michigan, on Lake Erie, which vessel he 
had charge of for about two and a half years. At the time the navy 
w^as reformed, a few years since, he was put on the reserve list, with 
full pay, and has remained so ever since." 

Capt. Cliamplin resides in Buffalo; has six children. His wife died 
three years ago. He continues to be a great sufferer from his 
wound which he received in 1814, but is otherwise hale and hearty. 
He is the last surviving commander out of the nine that were in 
Perry's squadron. 

Mid. John W. Wendall of Albany, or its vicinity, was attached to 
the Scorpion in the action, but he resigned soon alter, and died about 
1830. 

Mid. John Clark, from Herkimer count}'. New York, behaved 
well in the earlier part of the fight, but he was soon killed by a can- 
non ball that struck him in the head. He was a promising young 
officer. 

Officers of the Schooner Tigress. 

Lieut. Augustus H. M. Conklin of Virginia. He was appointed 
midshipman 1809, and lieutenant 1813. He arrived at Erie from 
Lake Ontario, with Capt. Elliott, and took command of the Tigress. 
Being a dull sailer, he was unable to bring her into close action till 
near the close of the fight. In 1814 his vessel was captured by a 
party in boats in a dark night, whilst laying oif Fort Erie. In Feb- 
ruary, 1820, he resigned whilst stationed at Portsmouth, N. H. He 
was an elegant officer in appearance, but too convivial even for the 
navy. 

Mid. A. C. Stout, appointed 1809, promoted December, 1814, about 
which time he died, while on his way westward from Erie. He 
served in the Tigress. 



|o 



Mid. irucn N. Page, appointed from Virft-iiiia, 1811; was promotfd 
to liciitciiiuit 1818, to I'omiiiuiider 1838, and to post captain 1850. 
His amount of sea service has been twenty years. For two or three 
years past lie has been on leave of absence in Virginia. He served 
in the Tij^ress in the action. He was a jovial companion, and much 
esteemed, but has disj^raced himself by joining the rebels. 

Officers of the Ariel. 

Lieut. Jonx Packet of Virginia. He received his warrant as mid- 
shipman in 1809. A few days only before the battle, 1813, he was 
promoted to a lieutenant, and arrived at Erie a few days before the 
fleet sailed, and commanded the Ariel, a clipper-built schooner, 
and in the battle ranged near the head of the scpiadron. This vessel 
maintained her position nobly in the fight. He is well spoken of in 
the commodore's official report. Mr. Packet served at Erie some 
years after the battle, and died of fever. lie was in the Constitu- 
tion as midshipman, when she captured the Java. He was a gentle- 
man of polislied manners, and a faithful and much esteemed officer. 

Acting Sailing-Master ThOiMas Brownell, was attached to the 
Ariel du'iing the figlit, and performed his duty faithfully. He origin- 
ated in Ithode Island, and went to Erie as mastei's mate, and was 
there promoted to sailing-master, and in the following j^ear com- 
manded a schooner, on the lake. He was an active, enterprising 
officer. He received his warrant from the secretary of the navy, 
October, 1840, and commission as lieutenant 1843; after which he 
was placed on the retired list, and he now resides in Newport. 

Officers of the Brig Somers. 

Sailing-Master Thomas C. Almy of Rhode Island, was of Quaker 
parentage. Early he commenced the life of a sailor, and at the age 
of 21 was commander of a ship. He was stationed in the flotilla at 
Newport, and was sent to Erie in charge of a gang of sailors. He 
Cimimanded the Somers in the action on the lake. Ahny was an 
active, efficient officer, and much esteemed by his brother oflicers. 
He died at Erie in December, 1813, three months after the action, of 
pneumonia. 

Mid. Davh) C. Nichols, on board the Somers; appointed 1812; re- 
signed 1814. 

Officers of the Schooxer Porcupine. 

Acting Master George Sexat of New Orleans, of French extrac- 
tion. He commanded the schooner Porcupine, a vessel that lagged 
astern, being a dull sailer. In the autumn iA' 1814, after returning 
from Croghan's expedition at Mackinac, he became involved in a 
duel witii Sailing-Miistei- McDonald, and was killed. His commission 
as lieutenant arrived in Erie the day after. 

Officers of the Sloop Trippe. 

Thomas Holdup (Stevens), was a native of South Carolina, and 
was an inmate and pupil ol' the or|)lian asylum in Charleston. Gen. 
Stevens of Charleston, on seeing him in that institution, took a deep 



13 

interest in liis wolfiiro, and obtainorl a warrant for liiin af? niidsliip- 
man in 1809, and i^ipc years after (1815), added, l)y h^fr'islalive enact- 
ment, the nain(^ of Stevenn to that of Ihthliip. llciiec! in tracing,- out 
his career liy tlie na\'al r(\^-isler.s, it i.s necessary to hink for Thomas 
Ifolilvp, for an account of his early services, and Thomas II. Stevens, 
for his later services. 

In 1812 he was stationed on board the John Adams in Brooklyn, 
and vohmteered with the otlxn- olHc<'rs and the crew, in S('f)t('ini)er, 
for lake service, and marched i'rotn Albany to Buffalo. In December 
following', he accompanied a party who crossed the Niag'ara, at 
Black Rock, in the night, to st(n-m a batter}' on the opposite shore, 
in wliich he behaved in a gallant manner, and received a canister 
ball through the right hand which impaired its use for life. He was 
soon after promoted to an acting lieutenant. In April following he 
took charge of a gang of seamen and proceeded to Erie, a distance 
of 100 miles, and was actively employed thereuntil August, in fitting 
and rigging the squadron. In the action on tlie 10th of September, 
he commanded the sloop Trippe, and brought up the rear of Perry's 
line, and passing ahead of the Porcupine and Tigress fought bravely 
against the rear of the enemy's line; and when their large vessels 
had struck their colors and two of the small vessels in the rear at- 
tempted to escape, Holdup and Chatnplin pursued them four or five 
miles, and, by constant firing, c<mquered and brought them back. 

During the following summer, 1814, he sailed as tirst lieut(niant of 
the Niagara, under Sinclair, to Mackinac, and in the autuma was 
selected by Perry to accompany him in the Java, but he had njarried. 
and remained in Connecticut a year, on leave of absence. He subse- 
quently coiinnaiided different vessels, was promoted to master com- 
mandant March, 1825, and post captain January, 1836. He died 
suildenly while in command of the Washington navy yard, January, 
1841. He left several children, among whom were Thomas H. Ste- 
vens, Jr , who was made midshipman in 1842, and behaved most 
gallantly in the action at Port Royal. 

Ca.pt. "T. H. Stevens was the very soul of chivalry, generous, liigh- 
mindfd, gallant and heroic, lie had a maidy tone of voice, which 
he liked to make audible in the social circle, being a loud and free 
talker. His literary talents were of a high order for his years, and 
his loss to the navy was much lamented. His widow, who was a 
Miss Safe died s(K)n after him. Tlie inducements held out to Mr. 
Holdup to adopt the name of Stevens, proved unreal, the general 
lived to see his fortune exhausted. 

Mid. James Bliss was on board the sloop Trippe. He was appointed 
in 1^09, and died at Erie, of fever, February 1, 1814. 

The only surviving commissioned ofScer is Usher Farson.s. The 
only surviving warrant officers are StepluMi Champlin, J. B. Montgo- 
mery, Hugh N. Page and Tiiomas Brownell, and tiie only surviving 
commander of the squadron is Stephen Champlin of Butfalo. 

Congress passed a vote of thanks to the officers and crews of the 
squadron, and awarded a gold medal to the two senior officers, Perry 
and Elliot, and to the commissioned officers a silver medal, and a 
sword to the midshipmen, sailing-masters, marine officers, master's 
mates, pursers and chaplains. 



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